Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Bruce Power forge partnership to collaborate on medical isotopes

The Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Bruce Power announced Thursday an agreement to jointly market new isotopes in support of the global fight against cancer. Participating in the agreement signing were, in front, Lester Anoquot, Chief of Saugeen First Nation, and Mike Rencheck, President and CEO, Bruce Power. At back, from left, Bill Walker, Associate Energy Minister and MPP for Bruce-Grey-Huron; Greg Nadjiwon, Chief of Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation; Brandy Oliveira, Strategic Initiatives Officer, Indigenous Services Canada; and James Scongack, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Operational Services, Bruce Power.

The
Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) and Bruce Power have entered into a collaboration
agreement to jointly market new isotopes in support of the global fight against
cancer while also working together on creating new economic opportunities
within the SON territory by establishing new isotope infrastructure.

The
agreement will leverage a project announced by Bruce Power last week to produce
Lutetium-177 used to treat prostate cancer with production starting in 2022
following regulatory and other approvals. By working together on the Lutetium project,
Bruce Power and SON will engage on marketing and collaboration while working
with government to leverage this opportunity and create sustainable economic
benefits.

“This
is a historic partnership between Bruce Power and the SON that will see us join
forces in the fight against cancer worldwide as we work to develop new isotopes,
starting with Lutetium-177,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and
CEO. “By working together we can find innovative ways to market and promote
this global leadership opportunity for both Ontario and Canada while creating
economic benefits for SON.”

Bruce
Power and SON have been exploring this opportunity to work together for several
months, and this agreement followed extensive dialogue and community engagement
sessions at both Saugeen First Nation and the Nawash Unceded First Nation in
June and July.

“Many
of our community members have been impacted by cancer in some way, and I
believe that working with Bruce Power on the next generation of life-saving
isotopes in the SON Territory is an opportunity for us to have a positive
impact on the people and families touched by cancer,” said Greg Nadjiwon, Chief
of Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. “This is a historic partnership
not only for us here in our Territory as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, but it is
bigger than us as we work to develop a project that will be important for
Canada and the world.”

The partnership will seek to build on an announcement last week where Bruce Power teamed up with Kinectrics and Framatome Canada Ltd. to develop an Isotope Production System deployable on all Bruce Power units that can also support the future production of other isotopes in addition to Lutetium-177. This will leverage the multi-unit Bruce Power site to provide a stable, redundant supply for many decades to come.

“This
partnership will allow us to jointly market this project and engage governments
to align this Project with their priorities and goals. We will be playing a
leadership role in the fight against cancer and at the same time building
economic opportunities within the SON Territory and for our SON Communities and
Community members,” said Lester Anoquot, Chief of Saugeen First Nation.

This
will leverage the multi-unit Bruce Power site to provide a stable supply for
many decades to come which is welcome news to the 1-7 men diagnosed with
prostate cancer.

“An average of 11 Canadian
men die from prostate cancer every day. We’re working with our partners to
change that statistic by developing innovative radioisotope treatments,” said
Peter Coleridge, President and CEO, Prostate Cancer Canada. “Radioisotopes play
a crucial role from diagnosis to treating advanced forms of the disease for
which there is no cure. That’s why we’re excited about new treatments in the
pipeline that are giving men and their families hope for the future. Together,
we can save and improve more lives.”

Bruce
Power is a founding member of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC), whose
members are working together to ensure Canada remains a world leader in the
production of life-saving radioisotopes by raising awareness and supporting
long-term policies at the domestic and international level.

“This
partnership between Bruce Power and SON will send a strong message across
Canada and the world that we are committed to doing our part in the fight
against cancer by ensuring our country remains at the forefront of isotope
innovation and supply,” said James Scongack, Chair of the Canadian Nuclear
Isotope Council. “A partnership of this nature will create a needed export and
supply opportunity for Lutetium-177 and can align well with many public policy
priorities at both the provincial and federal level.”

Kim
Rudd, MP for Northumberland-Peterborough South and a strong advocate for the
nuclear industry in Canada, offered praise for the announcement.

“Our
government has been committed to renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples,
based on reconciliation and recognition of rights, respect, and co-operation.
This partnership between the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Bruce Power to
collaborate on isotope production will not only help to expand Canada’s
leadership role in the global community by supporting new and innovative
patient treatments, but also demonstrates a real commitment to working hand in
hand with our indigenous partners to ensure shared prosperity, for themselves,
their families and their communities.”

Bill Walker, Associate Energy Minister and MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound who attended the announcement, congratulated all involved for the innovative new partnership.

“Our
government supports private sector action to create economic growth in
Indigenous communities. This historic announcement between Bruce Power and the
Saugeen Ojibway Nation to collaborate on Lu-177 production, a life-saving
isotope for prostate cancer, will create opportunities for indigenous peoples
in Bruce County and generate high-tech export sales to help Ontario businesses
grow.”

A joint Bruce Power and SON website has been launched to share more information on the partnership and on the project. It can be found at the Fighting Cancer Together website.

About Bruce Power
Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County,
Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation
of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering
clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the
province. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is
committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which
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